Caring for the Team

Women want to sense a connection to the group, to feel that they have a place at the table and to be encouraged by their leaders. Ministry women have an opportunity to make sure every person, her story and her place on the team are valued.

Some examples in my ministry include hosting a Valentine's lunch for widowed and single women. I tried to make the food, favors and decorations as "girly girl" as possible. One year, I prayed for a different entry in the church directory each day and then sent a note to those people to tell them what I appreciated about them. Recently, I heard about two powerful women in secular occupations who recognized human needs and built teams around relationships. 


Beatrice Fox Auerbach, a young widow with children, worked very hard to run America's
largest privately-owned department store. Yet, she still made time to personally deliver 3,000 Christmas bonuses and shake each employee's hand. Four days a week, she hosted luncheons, called the Family Circle, for a variety of workers from managers to sales ladies to elevator operators in order to hear their ideas.

Pat Summitt, the Sports Illustrated 2011 Sportswoman of the Year and head coach of the University of Tennessee women's basketball team has over 1,000 wins.  And yet, much of her success with the players is accomplished off the basketball court. She hosts frequent team meals at her house where players are encouraged to bring their family scrapbooks in order to know one another better. Her son said, "If you want to know my mom best, look at her relationships."

Neither of these women represents a Christian ministry, but their relationships with others reflect something of the nature of God that we all long to experience. Ministry women, who have the power of God in their lives, are even more equipped than Auerbach and Summitt to recognize and meet the needs of women in their care. They can promote a loving bond among their sisters in Christ to accomplish much for the kingdom of God. Plus, their motivation is not to make money or win.

When we believe in Jesus, we show love for others because He loved us first. This is the perfect motivation and comes with supernatural power. For example, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (II Corinthians 1: 3, 4)

The all powerful God of the universe welcomes women into His family. They have a treasured place at His table. He cares for and encourages them. How can you reflect His nature in your relationships this week? What He builds will last longer than any successful department store or winning team.